Maggie Smith's Cheeky & Dignified Response To 4th Emmy Win

The 81-year-old scooped the gong - her fourth - for her role as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey not long after host Jimmy Kimmel had called out the veteran actor for her frequent no-shows during award season.

"If we call your name and you're not here to accept it, it goes to the next person.

"It's called the 'Maggie Smith' rule.

"When Maggie Smith hears she's nominated for an Emmy she has the same reaction when we get those 20 per cent off Bed Bath & Beyond coupons - right in the garbage."

So when the Harry Potter star was announced as Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Kimmel was quick to jump back on stage, joking: "No, no, I'm not mailing this to her. Maggie, if you want this it will be in the lost and found."

And the ever-cheeky Brit was quick to respond, in a sassy message delivered by Downton Abbey's US network distributor.

"I was very astonished and pleased to win the award," the two-time Oscar winner replied. "I feel the Emmys have been overly generous to me.

"If Mr. Kimmel could please direct me to the lost and found office, I will try and be on the next flight.